Star Wars Tour at Hollywood Studios Shifting Hours, Removing Dessert, and Reducing Price

WDWNT on August 20, 2017

Beginning October 1st, 2017, the Star Wars Guided Tour at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will shift to take place in the early morning and afternoon. Guests will still be able to enjoy reserved viewing for Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular at the end of the night, but the dessert party will no longer be included on the tour.

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As a result, the price of the tour is being reduced from $121.12 to $99 per person, which includes tax.

Star Wars: Launch Bay is expected to close earlier in the evening starting October 1st as part of budget cuts at the park, which could be a reason for some of these changes.

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ON SALE NOW: Join WDWNT & Former Imagineer Brian Collins for “The Great Movie Ride” Farewell Event Benefitting Ryman Arts

WDWNT on August 20, 2017

Join former Imagineer Brian Collins & WDWNT.com’s Tom Corless on Tuesday, August 8th at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to say farewell to The Great Movie Ride.

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As an Imagineer, Brian worked on scripting & staging for The Great Movie Ride. You’ll hear about his work, the ride’s original concepts, & other behind-the-scenes stories. We’ll begin with dinner (Dutch treat), then hold a discussion/Q&A session, followed by a final journey through The Great Movie Ride. Attendees get a special signed keepsake & 25% of all ticket sales will be donated to Ryman Arts in Marty Sklar’s name.

Tickets are on sale now at this link and are $20 a person. Event starts at 6:30pm. Space is extremely limited.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Star Wars – Galaxy’s Edge Construction, Grand Avenue Takes Shape at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on August 2, 2017

Our latest Disney’s Hollywood Studios Expansion Update focuses on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge construction, as well as the continuing work on Grand Avenue, a new area that will open this Fall:

For those who prefer photographs, we have some below:

Looking at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and the Battle Escape ride from PIXAR Place.

If you look closely, you can see the framework for one of the AT-AT walkers standing inside.

We now change our view to Grand Avenue, the newly named area that will serve as an entrance to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

The Baseline Tap House is behind scrims.

A large wall separates Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge from Grand Avenue.

The Muppetvision Theater was renamed the Grand Arts Theater to fit the new area.

We’ll continue to bring you the latest on the expansion of Disney’s Hollywood Studios as it develops, so stay tuned to WDWNT.com!

Modern-Day L.A. Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios In New “Grand Avenue” Area, Baseline Tap House Replaces Writer’s Stop

WDWNT on August 2, 2017

Debuting this fall, the new Grand Avenue area at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is being re-imagined by Walt Disney Imagineers to capture the spirit of present-day Downtown Los Angeles, showing vintage office buildings and warehouses representing the different vibrant districts and cultures of the city. This new area will be home to Baseline Tap House, a cheerful corner pub specializing in beer and wines from California.

In a quaint brick building, Baseline Tap House celebrates the revitalization of Downtown Los Angeles by paying homage to the building’s former life as the Figueroa Printing Company, a mom-and-pop print house that had ties to the Disney studios in nearby Burbank. The space retains many of its cool architectural and mechanical details with exposed walls and old printing equipment and artifacts, blending the past and present in an inviting space. Outside will be a charming tree-shaded terrace.

The drink menu will be made up of California craft ales, lagers and cider. California wines on tap along with specialty cocktails will be available as well. A gourmet non-alcoholic lemonade and soda on tap round out the drink selection. Small bites including a Bavarian pretzel with mustard and beer-cheese fondue, spiced almonds or a charcuterie board featuring California cheeses will also be sold.

Baseline Tap House will open daily at 11 a.m. Baseline Tap House replaces the former Writer’s Stop next door to the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater (and sadly also looks like it will keep the Writer’s Stop lounge menu), while Grand Avenue takes up shop in a renovated remaining section of the adjacent New York Street.

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PHOTOS, VIDEO: Coaster Track Completed for Slinky Dog Dash in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on August 2, 2017

Today, Disney had an exciting milestone to share with us straight from the Toy Story Land construction site at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The final piece of track was recently installed on Slinky Dog Dash, a family coaster that will debut as one of the land’s two new attractions when Toy Story Land opens in summer 2018.

AT D23 EXPO 2017, DISNEY PARKS CHAIRMAN BOB CHAPEK ANNOUNCES SUMMER 2018 OPENING OF TOY STORY LAND — During D23 Expo 2017, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek announces the summer 2018 opening of Toy Story Land at DisneyÕs Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort.

Walt Disney Imagineering just shared this photo, which was snapped just as the final piece of red track was lowered into place.

Current progress on the station for Slinky Dog Dash

Current progress on the station for Slinky Dog Dash

In Toy Story Land, guests will shrink to the size of a toy and explore the world of Andy’s backyard. Fitting with the theme, Slinky Dog Dash will appear to be a coaster track that Andy has built all over his backyard using his Mega Coaster Play Kit – as well as some of his other favorite toys.

Toy Story Land opens Summer 2018 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

D23 Announces Free Special Event to Commemorate the Closing of The Great Movie Ride

WDWNT on August 2, 2017

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club is hosting an amazing free event for Gold Members on August 12th to say goodbye to The Great Movie Ride.

OVERVIEW
D23: The Official Disney Fan Club and TCM Backlot: The Ultimate Turner Classic Movies Fan Club are joining together to invite members of both fan clubs to celebrate the farewell of The Great Movie Ride!

DETAILS
Experience begins promptly at 7:15 a.m. at the entrance of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Check-in will begin at 7 a.m. Please do not arrive before 7 a.m. Due to the nature of this unique experience, late arrivals will not be accommodated. Event is available to Gold and Gold Family Members.

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club and TCM Backlot: The Ultimate Turner Classic Movies Fan Club are joining together to invite members of both fan clubs to celebrate the farewell of The Great Movie Ride!

Attendees will have the opportunity to experience the star-studded cinema attraction one last time during a behind-the-scenes experience before Disney’s Hollywood Studios opens to the public on Saturday, August 12.

This complimentary event will include a private attraction experience with special guests, a delicious breakfast at The Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant and a one-of-a-kind gift created just for attendees!

NOTE

  • D23 Gold and Gold Family Members may register a ticket for themselves and one (1) guest.
  • Due to the nature of this experience, all attendees must be at least 21 years of age or older to partake in this D23 experience.
  • This experience does not require admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Guests will need to have or purchase admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios if planning to return to the theme park once the experience concludes.
  • Food allergy and restrictions must be communicated to our Guest Services team prior to the event.
  • There is a limited number of reservations available. D23 Members will be required to provide their membership number when reserving tickets. Tickets may be picked up only with a valid photo ID AND D23 MEMBERSHIP CARD. D23 Members who do not bring their membership card may not be admitted to the event. Ticketed Members who do not attend the event forfeit their place as well as all experiences, benefits, and gifts associated with the event.
  • All D23 Special Events are subject to change without notice. There are no cancellations or refunds, and tickets are not transferable.

More information can be found at the official website.

Great Movie Ride “That’s a Wrap!” Merchandise Hits Walt Disney World, Online Store Soon

WDWNT on August 2, 2017

To mark the closing of The Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (as it will be replaced by Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway), Disney is producing some special commemorative merchandise before the attraction fades to black on August 13th.

The merchandise will be released at Walt Disney World late next week, while some of it will be available online through the Disney Parks online store starting August 10th, 2017.

Join Us Tonight for a Spectacular Journey Through the History of The Great Movie Ride

WDWNT on August 2, 2017

Tonight, we celebrate the incredible history of the icon attraction from Disney’s Hollywood Studios, The Great Movie Ride, just days before it closes forever on August 13th, 2017.

Back to the Future LIVE!: The Great Movie Ride – Monday, July 31st at 8PM ET

Tonight at 8PM, streaming live on YouTube and at Listen.WDWNT.com, catch the next edition of WDWNT’s beloved history show “Back to the Future”, as we delve into the history of the Great Movie Ride. The Great Movie Ride wasn’t always planned for the center of a park, so how did this come to be? Well, we’ll show you during this multimedia program.

Disney Lifting Annual Pass Block-Out Dates to Allow One Last Ride on Great Movie Ride, Universe of Energy

WDWNT on August 2, 2017

Walt Disney World will be lifting block-out dates in August on annual passes that would not typically allow entry to the parks during this time so that guests may say goodbye to two classic attractions.

While we don’t have the exact dates yet, Disney should be distributing that information to guests later this week. The adjusted block-out will allow these guests to enter Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios to ride the Universe of Energy and the Great Movie Ride one last time. Of course, guests will get to experience other things in the parks as well, not limited to these rides.

The Universe of Energy (Ellen’s Energy Adventure) and the Great Movie Ride both close forever on August 13th, 2017. The Universe of Energy will be replaced with a Guardians of the Galaxy thrill ride, while The Great Movie Ride will be replaced by Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

UPDATE: Silver and Weekday Select Annual Pass will have access to all 4 Walt Disney World theme parks starting August 1st. Weekday Select passes still will not admit guests on weekends, however.

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